Uznach can be explored through a variety of themes: the wetland with Möwenweiher, the stork colony and historic buildings. There are also hiking trails and cultural offerings. When planning your visit, you can give different weight to wildlife watching, routes and local history instead of focusing on just one attraction.
Landscape, Storks and Hiking Trails
Uznach lies at the junction of the Central Plateau and the Alpine region and is part of the Linth plain and the foothills of the Alps. In the centre is the wetland with Möwenweiher, a fen of national importance. The Uznach stork colony is located behind Kreuzkirche and is home to around 30 storks all year round. Guided tours are also offered there throughout the year. Check the current tour arrangements before your visit.
Buechwald has numerous signposted hiking trails, including the Panorama Trail. Uznach also has a well-developed network of hiking trails, with many connecting routes and circular routes. This offers a choice of different types of routes; a specific circular route is not the only way to take the town’s hiking trails into account.
Urban History and Buildings
The town chronicle records Uznach’s founding in 1228–1229 and dates Uznaberg Castle to the period from 1234 to 1268. Uznaberg Ruins were built by the Counts of Toggenburg; only a few sections of wall remain from the original complex. The “Alt Uznach” room at the museUm Uznach displays finds and an original engraving of the castle. Admission to the museum is free during regular opening hours. Check the published museum schedule for 2026 before your trip.
The town’s religious history spans several eras: between 1200 and 1300, a Romanesque church stood at the centre of a large parish in Uznach; St. Michael’s Chapel was founded in 1317. The town chronicle records the construction of the new Gothic parish church, Kreuzkirche, from 1494 to 1505, as well as the construction of St. Joseph’s Chapel in 1664. At Kreuzkirche, notable features include the portal to the sacristy and the delicate tabernacle with the Uznach coat of arms. An even earlier trace is the documentary mention of the Carolingian Church of St. Gallus in Uznach in 856.
Further details connect buildings with local history. Haus Falken survived the town fire on the dreadful night of 18–19 August 1762. Wirtschaft zum Hof is Uznach’s oldest well-preserved country house and dates from the first half of the 18th century; the year 1730 is visible beneath the projecting roof of the timber-built house. The rows of houses along Obergasse were built southwards on the town wall.
Culture, Markets and Getting Here
Kulturtreff Rotfarb offers a cultural programme in Uznach, which has changed over time. Recurring markets include the Töniermarkt in January, the May Market and the Klausmarkt at the end of November. Specific market dates may vary from year to year, so check the dates that apply to your visit.
Train services run until midnight, and Linthbus services connect in all directions. Check the exact timetables when planning your arrival and departure. If you want to explore Uznach by bicycle, the Farner circular tour starts at Uznach railway station, is 40 kilometres long and follows cycle route No. 481. Check the latest route information before setting off.
Discover more destinations: Ernetschwil, Benken, Weesen, Amden, Eschenbach, Schänis, Goldingen, Gommiswald.
Go to the regional travel overview: See-Gaster.
